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Betsy's Backyard Blog

Betsy Freese is an Executive Editor for Meredith Agrimedia, including Living the Country Life and Successful Farming. She grew up on a fruit farm in Maryland (see www.strawberryfarm.com) and has an agricultural journalism degree from Iowa State University. She and her husband, Bob, a veterinarian, live on a farm in Iowa where they raise sheep, hay, corn, and soybeans.

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?... Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."

When I was talking to Mom on Saturday she brought up this Bible verse. At church yesterday, the same scripture was the Gospel reading. I decided that was a sign.

The lesson is from Matthew 6:24-34. Jesus is speaking to his followers, who had basic necessities to worry about, like food and clothing.

I tend to worry about family. This has been a long winter of worrying. Dad spent weeks in hospitals with a brain injury from a fall, and is still recovering. Bob's dad has spent the past few weeks in hospitals with health issues. Big transitions are being required of them and of the rest of our family. I also worry about my three kids, their happiness and careers.

Here's what I'm giving up for Lent this year: Worry. I'm fasting from worry.

1.The Wolf of Wall Street -- I don't condone a thing in this movie, but what a wild ride. Leonardo DiCaprio wins Best Actor. Martin Scorsese is Best Director and this is my Best Picture. Judge away, but I was highly entertained.

I attended the Western Veterinary Conference last week with Bob and checked out the latest in new treatments for pets and livestock. This is one of the largest vet meetings in the world, with 15,000 attendees from 40 countries. Here are the most buzzed-about new products:

1. A new treatment for itching dogs.Apoquel by Zoetis will stop dogs from itching and scratching within hours. That is monumental, I was told. This product is on everyone's wish list and the company sold a year's worth of product in the first 10 days. If you have a dog that itches, get on the waiting list now.

2. A chewable that kills fleas and ticks.NexGard by Merial will kills fleas before they lay eggs and kill the disgusting American dog tick. YES. Give this soft beef-flavored chew once a month. How easy. This product is also back ordered.

3. A paint gun that shoots insectide for horn flies.VetGun by AgriLabs lets you apply a topical insecticide from as far away as 30 feet from cattle. Less stress for both man and beast. Can't wait to try this.

4. An alternative to iodine.Super 7 + Navel Dip by Vetericyn is is an umbilical cord dry-out and protective solution for newborn animals that is completely safe. Farmers and vets have long used 7% tincture of iodine as a navel dip, but it's now regulated and restricted due to its use in making meth.

5. An alternative to surgical castration.Zeuterin by Ark Sciences is made of zinc gluconate -- a natural ingredient in the body. It is delivered to dogs through an injection to the testis. Veterinarians can neuter male dogs without surgery. The result is permanent and irreversible fibrosis in the testicle rendering the dog sterile. A similar product, Testrin, is being tested by the largest pork producers as an alternative to surgical castration in pigs.

Dad is finally home from the hospital after falling in the farm shop in January and suffering a brain injury. Mom is taking care of him and other family members are helping with day trips to rehab. It's a big job and the future is uncertain. We hope and pray.

Here is a toy truck Bob and Caroline fixed up for Dad. Dad found the shell of the antique truck last fall in a box of auction stuff. He loves to go to auctions and buy boxes of "junk" for $20. Sometimes there is a gem in the box. This time he didn't see much value in the old toy, so Bob took it to Iowa. He built the back part of the truck and Caroline painted it. We shipped it back to Dad as a surprise.

How do I know? I posted this old photo of lilacs from my backyard with the comment "Who is ready for spring?" to the Living the Country Life Facebook page and 3.478 million people saw the post, according to Facebook. More than 288,000 people liked the photo, 31,700 commented on it (mainly saying "me"), and 13,900 shared it, thus the photo went viral.

We had 6 inches of blowing snow on our Iowa farm yesterday, and my sister has no power on her acreage in Pennsylvania right now thanks to ice.

Mom's birthday was yesterday and I want to mention it on my blog because this has been a tough few weeks since my dad fell in his shop. He is recovering from a brain injury and may come home from the rehab hospital on Friday, when Mom will become his primary caregiver. That is a tough job and one that can take a toll. My siblings and many other friends and family members will help, but Mom is the main contact. Dad will go to outpatient rehab three times a week.

To all the caregivers out there, God bless you and take care of yourself.

Bob put the finishing touches on our new sheep shed made totally out of scraps and recycled material. You can see pieces of the red tin from our big barn. There are also pieces of the old hog confinement barns we tore down three years ago. It is Bob's design and he says he spent less than $300 total.

Mom has a gas fireplace that creates the perfect cozy spot to read on a cold evening. I enjoyed the warmth on my visit there last week. The open flame gives that fireplace feel without messing with firewood.

The only problem with this fireplace is the propane -- sky high and in limited supply this winter. Bob turned the propane off in our farm shop and is using an electric heater. We don't want to have to fill that tank.